Untargeted metabolomics and transcriptomics identified glutathione metabolism disturbance and PCS and TMAO as potential biomarkers for ER stress in lung

Interplay of oxidative stress, cellular communication and signaling pathways in cancer

Cancer remains a significant global public health concern, with increasing incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Oxidative stress, characterized by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells, plays a critical role in the development of cancer by affecting genomic stability and signaling pathways within the cellular microenvironment. Elevated levels of ROS disrupt cellular homeostasis and contribute to the loss of normal cellular functions, which are associated with the initiation and progression of various types of cancer. In this review, we have focused on elucidating the downstream signaling pathways that are influenced by oxidative stress and contribute to carcinogenesis. These pathways include p53, Keap1-NRF2, RB1, p21, APC, tumor suppressor genes, and cell type transitions. Dysregulation of these pathways can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, impaired DNA repair mechanisms, and evasion of cell death, all of which are hallmark features of cancer development. Therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting oxidative stress have emerged as a critical area of investigation for molecular biologists. The objective is to limit the response time of various types of cancer, including liver, breast, prostate, ovarian, and lung cancers. By modulating the redox balance and restoring cellular homeostasis, it may be possible to mitigate the damaging effects of oxidative stress and enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments. The development of targeted therapies and interventions that specifically address the impact of oxidative stress on cancer initiation and progression holds great promise in improving patient outcomes. These approaches may include antioxidant-based treatments, redox-modulating agents, and interventions that restore normal cellular function and signaling pathways affected by oxidative stress. In summary, understanding the role of oxidative stress in carcinogenesis and targeting this process through therapeutic interventions are of utmost importance in combating various types of cancer. Further research is needed to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying oxidative stress-related pathways and to develop effective strategies that can be translated into clinical applications for the management and treatment of cancer. Video Abstract.

Heat exposure intervention, anxiety level, and multi-omic profiles: A randomized crossover study

BACKGROUND

Climate change has led to the frequent occurrence of high-temperature weather, which has various adverse effects on health, ranging from blood metabolism to systemic organ function. In particular, the sequelae of heat stress injury in most people are related to the nervous system. However, the mechanisms between heat stress and mental health conditions, especially heat stress and anxiety, remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We attempted to elucidate the effect of heat exposure intervention on anxiety levels in the population and its mechanism.

METHODS

We first carried out a randomized controlled trial in 20 college students in Beijing, China, to observe the results of the effects of heat exposure intervention on human anxiety. Then, we collected blood samples before and after heat exposure experiment and used metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches to quantify serum metabolites and ELISA measurements to explore the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

We found that even 1.5-hour heat exposure intervention significantly increased anxiety levels. Heat stress-induced anxiety was mediated by the activation of the HPA axis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and subsequently unbalanced neurotransmitters. Metabolites such as BDNF, GABA, and glucocorticoids released by the adrenal glands are biomarkers of heat stress-induced anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated a causal link between heat stress and anxiety, explored possible biological pathway between heat stress and anxiety. Heat stress can cause the activation of the HPA axis and lead to changes in the body's metabolism, resulting in a series of changes such as inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to anxiety. This study reveals hidden health cost of climate change that has been underexplored, and also reminds us the importance of immediate climate actions.

The PCOS-NAFLD Multidisease Phenotype Occurred in Medaka Fish Four Generations after the Removal of Bisphenol A Exposure

As a heterogeneous reproductive disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be caused by genetic, diet, and environmental factors. Bisphenol A (BPA) can induce PCOS and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to direct exposure; however, whether these phenotypes persist in future unexposed generations is not currently understood. In a previous study, we observed that transgenerational NAFLD persisted in female medaka for five generations (F4) after exposure to an environmentally relevant concentration (10 μg/L) of BPA. Here, we demonstrate PCOS in the same F4 generation female medaka that developed NAFLD. The ovaries contained immature follicles, restricted follicular progression, and degenerated follicles, which are characteristics of PCOS. Untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed 17 biomarkers in the ovary of BPA lineage fish, whereas transcriptomic analysis revealed 292 genes abnormally expressed, which were similar to human patients with PCOS. Metabolomic-transcriptomic joint pathway analysis revealed activation of the cancerous pathway, arginine-proline metabolism, insulin signaling, AMPK, and HOTAIR regulatory pathways, as well as upstream regulators esr1 and tgf signaling in the ovary. The present results suggest that ancestral BPA exposure can lead to PCOS phenotypes in the subsequent unexposed generations and warrant further investigations into potential health risks in future generations caused by initial exposure to EDCs.

Hepatic Proteomics Analysis Reveals Attenuated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum-Treated Oxidatively Stressed Broilers

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays important roles in oxidative stress (OS), contributing to liver injury. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P8 (P8) was reported to regulate broiler OS and the gut microbiota in broilers, but its roles in hepatic ER stress remain unclear. In the present study, the role of P8 in liver OS and ER stress was evaluated, and proteomics was performed to determine the mechanism. Results revealed that P8 treatment decreased liver OS and ER stress in dexamethasone (DEX)-induced oxidatively stressed broilers. Proteomics showed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) induced by DEX cover the "cellular response to unfold protein" term. Moreover, the DEPs (GGT5, TXNDC12, and SRM) between DEX- and DEX + P8-treated broilers were related to OS and ER stress and enriched in the glutathione metabolism pathway. RT-qPCR further confirmed the results of proteomics. In conclusion, P8 attenuates hepatic OS and ER stress by regulating GGT5, TXNDC12, SRM, and glutathione metabolism in broilers.

Metabolomic Profiling in Mouse Model of Menopause-Associated Asthma

Menopause-associated asthma impacts a subset of women, tends to be more severe, and is less responsive to current treatments. We recently developed a model of menopause-associated asthma using 4-Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide (VCD) and house dust mites (HDM). The goal of this study was to uncover potential biomarkers and drivers of menopause-onset asthma by assessing serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from mice with and without menopause and HDM challenge by large-scale targeted metabolomics. Female mice were treated with VCD/HDM to model menopause-associated asthma, and serum and BALF samples were processed for large-scale targeted metabolomic assessment. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to examine metabolites of potential biological significance. We identified over 50 individual metabolites, impacting 46 metabolic pathways, in the serum and BALF that were significantly different across the four study groups. In particular, glutamate, GABA, phosphocreatine, and pyroglutamic acid, which are involved in glutamate/glutamine, glutathione, and arginine and proline metabolisms, were significantly impacted in the menopausal HDM-challenged mice. Additionally, several metabolites had significant correlations with total airway resistance including glutamic acid, histamine, uridine, cytosine, cytidine, and acetamide. Using metabolic profiling, we identified metabolites and metabolic pathways that may aid in discriminating potential biomarkers for and drivers of menopause-associated asthma.

Intestinal Microbiota - An Unmissable Bridge to Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), one of the most serious abdominal emergencies in general surgery, is characterized by acute and rapid onset as well as high mortality, which often leads to multiple organ failure (MOF). Acute lung injury (ALI), the earliest accompanied organ dysfunction, is the most common cause of death in patients following the SAP onset. The exact pathogenesis of ALI during SAP, however, remains unclear. In recent years, advances in the microbiota-gut-lung axis have led to a better understanding of SAP-associated lung injury (PALI). In addition, the bidirectional communications between intestinal microbes and the lung are becoming more apparent. This paper aims to review the mechanisms of an imbalanced intestinal microbiota contributing to the development of PALI, which is mediated by the disruption of physical, chemical, and immune barriers in the intestine, promotes bacterial translocation, and results in the activation of abnormal immune responses in severe pancreatitis. The pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) mediated immunol mechanisms in the occurrence of PALI via binding with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) through the microbiota-gut-lung axis are focused in this study. Moreover, the potential therapeutic strategies for alleviating PALI by regulating the composition or the function of the intestinal microbiota are discussed in this review. The aim of this study is to provide new ideas and therapeutic tools for PALI patients.